40-5-290. Child support payments to follow child. (1) A support order issued or modified under this part must contain a provision requiring the child support obligation to be paid to:

(a) the legal custodian of the minor child;

(b) a person, organization, or agency to which the legal custodian voluntarily or involuntarily relinquishes physical custody of the child; or

(c) to any other person, organization, or agency entitled by law, assignment, or similar reason to receive or collect the child support obligation.

(2) If the department is providing services under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, payment of support must be made through the department for distribution to the person, organization, or agency entitled to the payment.

(3) An order that omits the provision required by subsection (1) is subject to the requirements of subsection (1) without need for an amendment to the order or for any further action by the department.